The conference proceedings on the prevention of mental retardation through improved maternity care consist of six major papers which are followed by panel discussions with two to five participants. Epidemiology of prematurity, topic of the first paper, is discussed in terms of cigarette smoking, asymptomatic bacertiuria, maternal heart volume, employment during pregnancy, maternal height and weight, birth interval, prenatal care, outcome of previous pregnancies, and definition of prematurity. The second paper focuses on prevention of obstetric antecedents, with mention of responsible parenthood, study of previous reproductive events and congenital anomalies, relationship of social status to perinatal mortality and prematurity, maternal nutrition, psychosomatic factors associated with pregnancy, maternal height and weight, maternal infections, and maternal diseases. The third paper on prevention of premature labor considers prophylaxis, early recognition of high risk patient, and inhibition of premature labor. The relative lack of medical help in encouraging the pregnant woman to enjoy both pregnancy and motherhood is the subject of the fourth paper on the low birth weight infant. The conference concludes with two short papers on specific needs to improve maternity care and a review of resources, respectively. (CB)